Breeding manager

Limagrain, an international cooperative group and a major player in plant breeding, is seeking a Wheat Breeding Manager (M/F) to lead its wheat breeding program in France. You will join our multicultural research station in Verneuil-l’Étang, east of Paris, and head an experienced team to drive variet innovation in a strategic market segment.

Main Goal

Reporting to the Wheat Breeding Program Manager , based in the UK, you will lead and drive the momentum of the program, with the following responsibilities:

You define short-, mid-, and long-term breeding objectives, ensuring alignment between marketing and development teams around a shared vision.

You design and champion an ambitious breeding strategy, supporting teams in the evolution of practices to maintain a leading position in the wheat market.

You represent Limagrain within scientific networks and external partnerships, positioning the company as a key player in the French wheat breeding community.

Operational Leadership & Transformation

You design, deploy, and optimize breeding schemes by integrating new technologies, while supporting operational teams through change management.

You evaluate breeding lines, analyze data, and make selection decisions, structuring processes to strengthen overall efficiency.

You contribute to official trials and coordinate interactions with regulatory authorities, ensuring smooth methodological and organizational transitions.

You lead, motivate, and develop a local team, fostering an environment that supports innovation, technical excellence, and engagement in change.

You drive collaboration with European breeders and internal group partners, facilitating cross-functional work and harmonization of practices.

You manage the program budget and develop a three-year investment plan, supporting teams in prioritizing and taking ownership of strategic choices.

What we expect of you

PhD or equivalent degree in plant breeding, genetics, or a related field.

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in breeding, ideally on a cereal crop.

Strong command of data analysis tools, statistics, and breeding software.

Proven leadership, collaborative mindset, and ability to drive change.

Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in French is a strong asset.

Your benefits and working environment

Attractive compensation package with performance-based bonuses, profit-sharing, and seniority benefits.

Family health insurance, retirement plan, employee committee benefits.

Remote working agreement (up to 8 days per month).

214 working days per year for improved work–life balance.

Structured onboarding program and regular training opportunities.

Career development opportunities in France and internationally.

Recruitment process

Pre-screening by our Talent Acquisition team

Interview with the operational manager

HR interview

Personalized feedback provided to each shortlisted candidate

Limagrain Field Seeds, with its international multi-crop LG brand is the global Feld Seeds division of Group Limagrain. Limagrain Field Seeds covers all continents with subsidiaries in over 40 countries and sales in 77 countries. Limagrain Field Seeds supplies LG branded seeds of Maize, Wheat, Sunflower, Winter Rape and other regional crops to all farmers large or small. A strong commitment to progress through technology ensures that plant variety improvements arrive continually from 84 research sites and are adapted for maximum local performance.

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in , with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.